`` The status quo is no longer acceptable . ''

That 's the message the University of Virginia is trying to send its students and others after a scathing Rolling Stone story detailed allegations of a gang rape at a fraternity party , and the school 's supposed indifference toward students who are victims of sexual assault .

The horrific attack reportedly happened to a woman known only as Jackie , at the start of her freshman year in 2012 . She told the magazine she was raped by seven men at Phi Kappa Psi , while two more gave encouragement .

The school stands accused of bungling its response to the assault , and sweeping other assault allegations under the rug .

`` To Jackie and her parents , I say I am sorry , '' Rector George Keith Martin said at an emergency meeting of UVA 's governing board this week . `` To the survivors of sexual assault and their families , I am also sorry . ''

He added : `` This type of conduct will not be tolerated at the University of Virginia . The status quo is no longer acceptable . ''

The board unanimously adopted a resolution affirming a zero-tolerance approach toward rape and sexual assault cases .

What exactly that means remains to be seen . The actual specifics of the new policy will be worked out later , university officials said . They are scrambling .

UVA suspended all fraternities until after the winter break in the wake of the report , and President Teresa Sullivan has called on the Charlottesville Police Department to investigate Jackie 's allegations and pleaded for witnesses to come forward with information .

A few weeks before the November 19 article hit the newsstands , student-run WUVA interviewed the associate dean of students , Nicole Eramo , who guides women through their options when they report they 've been assaulted .

In the interview , Eramo admitted that no student had been expelled for committing sexual assault , even when there was an admission , and even though offenses such as academic cheating regularly lead to expulsion .

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`` I feel if a person is willing to come forward in that setting and admit they violated the policy when there is absolutely no advantage to do so , then I feel that deserves some consideration , that they are willing to say , ' I have done something wrong and I am willing to take my licks and deal with it , ' '' Eramo told reporter Catherine Valentine , explaining why no one had been expelled .

Eramo said there had been 38 reports of sexual assault last year .

`` I do feel like that person admitting in that context it shows a recognition of what they have done is wrong , and a willingness to improve , '' Eramo said , when pressed on the subject .

`` I think we are trying to balance the rights of the individual who is being accused as well as the rights of the complainant and sometimes that is very difficult , '' she said . `` I think you would be surprised to see the number of survivors who I 've worked with who do n't even want to file a complaint , because they do n't want to get the accused person in trouble . ''

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Although Eramo 's interview struck many as tone deaf , particularly given the Rolling Stone story , Jackie released an open letter in support of the associated dean to the student newspaper , The Cavalier Daily . Jackie and other victims of assault at the school said Eramo helped them tremendously as they dealt with what happened to them .

`` How can we not do the same for her in her darkest moment ? '' asked the letter from her supporters .

`` Dean Eramo has truly saved my life . If it were not for her , I do not know if I could be alive today , '' Jackie wrote .

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Another victim who spoke to CNN , Lyra Bartell , said that Eramo has `` the hardest job at UVA '' and said the problems highlighted by Rolling Stone are more about the policy than about a person .

Those policies were at the heart of the discussion at the special board meeting , where officials pledged to change cultural conditions and to improve support for survivors .

The university also announced that the state attorney general has asked the law firm O'Melveny & Myers to do an investigation of how the school responds to reports of sexual violence , especially in cases where alleged victims choose not to make a formal complaint .

`` I want to make it perfectly clear to you , and to the watching world that nothing is more important to me than the safety of our students , '' President Sullivan said at the meeting . `` Not our reputation , not our success , and not our history or tradition . ''

Opinion : UVA 's answer to rape allegations a farce

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UVA apologizes to the student who says she was raped at a fraternity party

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`` The status quo is no longer acceptable , '' says UVA rector

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Specifics of a new zero-tolerance policy will be worked out later

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The school 's governing body held a special meeting after a scathing report in Rolling Stone